2030 Transit System Plan Refresh

Centers and Corridors

Project Connect Growth Concept Map Joint use Task Force CRTPO Technical Coordinating Committee July 6, 2017

City of Charlotte The Origin Story

Centers and Corridors Strategy developed in the 1990’s

• Long-term growth management strategies for Charlotte- Mecklenburg

• Five primary transportation and development corridors

• Transform unfocused development patterns in corridors and wedges to compact mixed-use development along corridors and in station areas

City of Charlotte 2025 Transit/Land Use Plan

2025 Transit / Land Use Plan

. Vision for a long-term growth management strategy for Charlotte- Mecklenburg . Integrates rapid transit and mixed- used development along 5 transportation corridors . Expands transit system to serve between the rapid transit corridors . Provide more transportation choices to meet mobility needs . Support sustainable growth for region

City of Charlotte Rapid Population Growth

In 1998 the Charlotte Mecklenburg population was projected to grow by about 385,000 people over the next 30 years a 66% increase.

1995 2025 Mecklenburg County projected population 580,000 965,000 growth in 1998

In 2014 the US Census Bureau estimated Mecklenburg County’s population is already over a million people at 1,012,539. That is a 75% increase from 1995. We have reached our projections a full 10 years early.

City of Charlotte Rapid Population Growth

Population Percent Change 2000-2014 Charlotte 50% Towns within Mecklenburg and the surrounding Davidson 68% counties have also experienced rapid growth Cornelius 130% since the adoption of the 2025 system plan. Huntersville 107% Matthews 35% With so many new residents there is the Mint Hill 67% opportunity to engage a much larger population. Pineville 139% Mecklenburg 46% As many of the areas become more urban, the Union 77% needs for transit are more pronounced. Lancaster 36% York 49% Gaston 11% Lincoln 25% Iredell 36% Cabarrus 47%

City of Charlotte

2030 Transit System Plan Status

Operating • LYNX Blue Line Light Rail • Sprinter Airport Enhanced Bus • CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 1

Under Construction • LYNX Blue Line Extension • CityLYNX Gold Line Phase 2

Under Design • Charlotte Gateway Station

Under Study • North and West Corridor • LYNX Silver Line • System Integration

Unfunded • North Corridor/West Corridor LPA • CityLYNX Gold Line Extensions • LYNX Silver Line

City of Charlotte More than rail

City of Charlotte 2030 Transit Plan Refresh

• Southeast Corridor (Silver Line) – MTC adopted Light rail to Matthews as LPA in November 2016 – Need to determine Center City access • North Corridor (Red Line) – LPA has been commuter rail on NS O-Line – Use of Norfolk Southern O-Line corridor problematic – Upcoming study will consider Light Rail on other alignments • West (Airport) Corridor – Current LPA Streetcar – Plan to study Light Rail and potential alignments – Serving Airport is a must – Can Proposed River District be served? • Center City Integration Study – Determine how best to integrate three corridors into downtown with existing Blue Line and Gold Line Streetcar

City of Charlotte LYNX Silver Line

• MTC approved recommendation of light rail LPA in November 2016

• 13-15 miles long

• 13 stations with 8-10 park and ride locations

• As part of recommendation Uptown alignments will be include in a system integration study.

City of Charlotte Independence Blvd. East of Wendover Road

City of Charlotte Independence Blvd. East of The Plaza

City of Charlotte LYNX Red Line - North Corridor

Railroad Discussions on 10/26/16 • Secretary Foxx convened meeting in Washington DC of CATS, Norfolk Southern & North Carolina Railroad

• Metropolitan Transit Commission represented by Mayor Woods, Mayor Travis, Mayor Roberts, and County Board Chair Fuller

• Railroad consistent message is that any passenger service would need to be constructed outside the limits of their corridor

City of Charlotte Airport - West Corridor

Corridor System Plan • Bus Rapid Transit (2002 plan) • Light rail not FTA cost-effective • Streetcar extension– post 2030 (2006 plan) • Sprinter Enhanced Bus (2009)

New Study beginning in 2017 • FTA Criteria more favorable to Light Rail • Interline/Combine with Southeast Corridor •Center City System Integration

City of Charlotte Center City System Integration

• What specific destinations to serve; Charlotte Gateway Station, CPCC, Arena/ Convention Center, Stonewall Corridor? • How to integrate with LYNX Blue Line? • How to integrate West Corridor and North Corridor? • Development projects need uptown alignment defined.

City of Charlotte 2030 Transit Plan Refresh

• Study begins in July 2017 • Complete with new staff recommendations to the MTC by December 2018

City of Charlotte Thank You

City of Charlotte